Sinfully Summer - Aimee Duffy - Extract

7/28/2019 Sinfully Summer - Aimee Duffy - Extract

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Copyright

HarperImpulse an imprint of

HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd7785 Fulham Palace Road

Hammersmith, London W6 8JB

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2013

Copyright Aime Duffy 2013

Cover Photographs shutterstock.com

Aime Duffy asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents

portrayed in it are the work of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actualpersons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.

By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-

transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of

this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engi-

neered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval

system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known

or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Ebook Edition June 2013 ISBN: 9780007537600

Version 1

Digital eFirst: Automatically produced by Atomik ePublisher from EasyPress.


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Chapter One

Alexa Green poked her head out of the hotel room door. Shedarted a glance left, then right, and exhaled when she saw the

corridor was empty.

One lap, she threw over her shoulder to her best friends, Sarah

and Jenna. And dont you dare think about locking this door.

If she was lucky, she guestimated shed get all the way around

her floor without seeing a soul. Nice underwear or not, getting

caught in her knickers running down the halls of the most exclu-

sive hotel in Marbella was sure to paint her cheeks pink for the

first time ever. With shaky hands and a jittering belly, she took

a step into the hallway. Out of all the crazy things shed done,

this topped them all. A muffled thump sounded from along the

corridor and she hesitated.

Chickening out, Lex? Jenna asked.Alexa gritted her teeth at the god-awful nickname. She swore

they only used it to wind her up. Not a chance.

Tiny gymnasts in her stomach flipped and twirled, contradicting

her cool faade. She stepped further into the hall. Adrenaline ripped

through her body, making her heart pound hard against her chest.

She felt alive, alert and exposed in a way that was more thrilling

than terrifying. She turned back to her friends, a huge smile onher face. See ya in a few.

The marble floor felt cool on her bare feet as she bolted down

the light, airy hall. Doors leading to other suites whirred by in a

flash as she pushed herself faster; elation and a sense of freedom

making her laugh breathlessly. She couldnt deny the craziness of

the dare, this was one of the wildest things shed ever done, but

she couldnt say that she wasnt enjoying the thrill.She reached the end of the long corridor and made to turn left

just as the main lift doors opened and two men stepped out. Her


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heart stopped and, for the beat of a second, time seemed to freeze.

Oh God.

She turned and scampered in the opposite direction away

from the English rock star and his publicist. She recognised them

from more than a few wild parties back in London.There were no doors down this strip of the hotel and she

wondered where on earth she was running to, but the sound of

two wolf-whistles kept her feet moving.

If she was the kind of girl to blush, shed have been scarlet

from head to toe.

Panting, she reached the end of the corridor and sprinted

down the hall to her right. She couldnt hear the mens footsteps

over the blood pounding in her ears, so couldnt be sure if theyd

followed. But she was sure that she wasnt going to give anyone

the opportunity to perv on her up close. What kind of idiots

wolf-whistled in this day and age?

Shiny brushed steel doors came into sight at the end of the

corridor. When she reached the lift, she paused in front of it.Alexa didnt think it could be the main one, not so far away from

the rooms.

She stabbed her finger into the button furiously until the doors

slid open. After darting inside, she spun around, scanned the

control panel then hit the door close button. As the metal slid

shut, she exhaled the huge breath shed been holding.

She let out a giggle. The elevator jarred and then promptly beganto move. Up. She stopped giggling and scanned the control panel,

hoping a floor between where she was now and the penthouse

would magically appear. It didnt.

Jenna and Sarah had booked the plushest suite for their girly

holiday and that had been the top floor, just below the penthouse

with a birds eye view of the beach.

With her heart bursting out her chest and her hands shakingworse than the vibration plates at her gym, Alexa reasoned it might

have been a maid who pressed the button so there was no need


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to panic, yet. After all, hotel managers still needed their suites

cleaned. Her father had long since moved out of the penthouse of

his own luxury resort but she knew from catching quick glances of

the hotel moguls adopted son, Enrique Castillo, around the hotel

that he stayed here. She couldnt imagine the hunky man with theexpensive tailored suits and Italian shoes would stay anywhere else.

Unless he had a huge mansion on the beach, just like his parents

did. Their beautiful properties were often featured on the news

for hosting charity functions.

The fact that it was past six in the evening made her feel silly

for praying it was a maid, but with panic threatening to render

her incoherent, she had to keep a hold of her marbles and find a

way out of this mess. Surely if the infamous Mr Castillo caught

her, hed chuck her and her friends out of his hotel. Ice laced the

blood in her veins as trepidation washed through her.

Not to mention the paparazzi would have a field day with the

story. Shed be Alexa Green, the wild-child streaker whod gotten

herself thrown out of another classy establishment. She shuddered.No way was she going to let her last single girlie holiday with her

best friends end that way.

Alexas mind whirred as she thought of a way out of it. Given

the choice, shed rather face the idiot whistlers than this. The lift

shuddered to a halt and she edged to the back. Her bottom met

cold metal, but it did nothing to cool the heated blood pounding

through her veins. Watching the doors slide open, she felt theones behind her do the same. For a brief second, she froze as two

male voices bid each other goodbye in Spanish. They werent in

sight yet, so she slipped out the opposite side of the elevator and

darted around the wall.

Trying to calm her breathing, Alexa took stock of her surround-

ings. With her heart galloping faster than a race horse, she noted

that she wasnt in an entrance hall as shed originally expected.Nope. Shed walked straight into the Castillo penthouse. The

thump of metal signalled the doors closing. She held her breath.


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Undergarments? Alexa pressed her lips together to keep a

giggle at bay. Seriously?

The amusement in her eyes brought out Rics smilesomething

he hadnt in a long time. What was it about the young heiress that

fascinated him? He couldnt deny that she was incredibly beautiful.A brown, messy bob fell to her shoulders and she had the greyest

eyes hed ever seen. Her lips were the perfect bow; pink, rosy and

ready to be kissed. Not to mention the fact she had a body that

would melt weaker men into a puddle, and hed never seen as

much of it as he had tonight.

How do you refer to them where youre from? he asked,

knowing full well. Becoming fluent in English was the first thing

he did when he left behind his former life on the streets, but he

was curious to see where the conversation would go.

She cocked a perfectly manicured brow. Youre going to ask

me what I call my underwear? Shaking her head, she eyed the lift

door over his shoulders. My friends will be worried.

Disappointment pulsed through him. He didnt want her toleave. He hadnt had the time to enjoy a womans company in

so long, not since he started organising this charity ball, not to

mention negotiating new contracts for the resort his adopted

parents were having built at the other side of the city. Lately, all

he did was work and sleep. It was the only way he was going to

convince Antonio and Maria that he had changed, that they could

trust him to run more than just the hotel, that he was ready toown a stake in their empire. A famous heiress showing up in his

suite was most certainly a welcome distraction.

Are you going to tell me why youre here or would you prefer

to explain yourself to the police?

She gasped and her mouth dropped open. You cant do that!

Ric forced back a smile. And why is that? Breaking and entering

is against the law.Dont you know who I am? she demanded. The press would

love to snap me being carted out of a fancy hotel in my knickers.


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Her eyes pleaded with him to understand, and he did. She was

in the international news on a regular basis for her wild stunts

and excessive partying. A road hed almost gone down himself,

even after the Castillos had saved him.

He eyed her again, wiping all signs of recognition from hisexpression. Her arms folded across her chest causing the swell of

her breasts to almost spill out over the white lace. Heat arrowed

down to his groin and he had the urge to take a step closer. To

inhale the flowery scent hed caught a whiff of when shed been

so close before. Her eyes couldnt mask her irritation as she glared

at him.

I dont believe I do, he lied to see how shed react.

Her feistiness intrigued him. Given the Castillos wealth and

status, women never dared stand up to him.

Im Alexa Green. She glared at him, one delicate eyebrow

raised, waiting for his reaction.

Ric fought back a grin and kept his expression blank. That

doesnt answer my question. What are you doing here?She dropped her arms to her sides, her fists clenched. He pressed

his lips together to keep from laughing.

A dare.

Ric frowned. What?

Alexa shook her head and huffed out a breath. A dare, like a

bet or a

I know what a dare is, Alexa. You were dared to break intomy suite?

Teasing forgotten, he eyed her again. He could have sworn she

was in her twenties, younger than he, but not a minor. The last

picture of her splashed over the Spanish news was of her falling

out of an exclusive London nightclub.

It was a bit of fun. She waved a hand and went on, like an

impatient teacher talking to an incredibly stupid pupil. My friendsand I wanted to make this holiday memorable, but it wasnt to

come in your suiteI had to run around the top floor in my


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knickers. I got caught and ended up in your lift. Ric did grin

this time. What?

Nothing. There was no way hed admit that her impatience

was adorable. He closed the distance between them so they were

toe to toe and looked down into eyes that had turned the colourof a stormy sky. What age are you, Alexa?

She straightened and seemed to gain an inch, still a head shorter

than him. Twenty-three. He could see irritation warring with

lust in her expression, perhaps she was still annoyed at his lack

of recognition.

But he couldnt concentrate on that now. She wasnt off limits.

Ideal for what he had in mind.

Ric edged closer when he noted her eyes clouding over. The

tips of her breasts grazed his chest with every shallow breath. Her

lips parted on an almost silent gasp.

Arent you a little old for childish stunts like that?

Stepping back, she glared at him, all trace of desire gone. You

can never be too old to have fun. Do you even know how anymore?His tongue froze for a second. How much did she know about

his past? There was a time in his late teenage years where he did

everything he could to feel alive, almost giving Maria and Antonio

a heart attack in the process. But he was sure the worst of his past

was buried, theyd made sure their money kept his secrets. She

couldnt know.

He dragged his mind back to the present. Oh, I know how tohave fun.

Rics gaze swept down over the swell of her breasts, narrow waist

to curvy hips he imagined were silky and firm. Heat punched him

square in the groin and he shifted, trying to ease the tightening

of his trousers.

Mind out of the gutter, Castillo, and eyes where I can see them.

His gaze rose at a leisurely pace back to her frowning face.That is not the kind of fun I was referring to.

He cocked a brow. Dont tell me you hadnt thought about it. I


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His gaze dipped to her rosy pout, slightly damp from her

tongue. Another bolt of heat headed south. I have a party to go

to tomorrow night. Actually, he had networking to do and having

a beauty like Alexa on his arm might convince some of the old

men with too much money and wives long since gone to attendhis charity ball in a few weeks. And youre coming with me.

Taking her would be risky, but hed never let that stop him

before. She was unpredictable and if the media suspected he was

having a fling with her, theyd dig deep into his past. Then again,

her fathers status was well known even here and he could work

that to his advantage. He had no doubt she could be charming,

he just had to keep her in check.

She laughed. I dont think so.

Ric shrugged. Then Ill be happy to call security and have them

hold you until the police arrive. Her brows drew together and Ric

continued. If you really are press worthy, Im sure I can arrange

for one of the reporters to shoot the story.

Fear flashed in her eyes, but it was gone in a heartbeat. Shesmirked at him. Im going back to my room.

Irritation warred with amusement, but in two steps he was in

front of the elevator doors.

She glared at him, then turned back to his apartment. Fine,

Ill take the stairs.

Good luck with that, the door is locked. He smirked at her

and slid his phone from his pocket. Last chance.Her eyes widened, but she straightened her shoulders. You

wouldnt.

He lifted an eyebrow and hit speed dial, then the speaker. The

ringing sounded in the room.

Hola, Seor Castillo, a voice answered. Alexa paled.

Ric lifted the handset closer to his mouth.

Fine, Ill go with you. She glared at him.He smiled. After telling security they werent required, he

disconnected the call. Good choice. It wont be so bad. Fine dining,


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champagne and Ill even buy you a new dress.

She crossed her arms and his gaze dropped to her cleavage. I

have my own party clothes.

An image of her in her usual style, a barely-there concoction

of silk, flooded his mind and his whole body heated up. His gazesnapped to hers and he glared right back. Its formal, Alexa.

Puffing out a breath, she stepped closer. I can do formal. Do

you know how many corporate affairs my straight-laced father,

Robert Green, has dragged me to over the years? She poked a white

tipped finger nail into his chest. Far too many. And it better not

be as boring as those.

He grabbed the offending finger, used it to haul her body against

his, lowered his head and whispered in her ear, the night will be

as fun as we make it.

He released her trembling frame, took a step back and hit the

button for the elevator. After a lingering glance at her almost-

naked body he pulled his t-shirt over his head and handed it to

her with a shred of regret. Alexas mouth fell open as she fixatedher attention on his chest. Ric smirked as she accepted the shirt

with a shaking hand.

Put this on.

Alexa obeyed slowly, as if the sight of his naked skin cast a

dreamlike spell over her. Ric couldnt believe it, but in his shirt

she looked even sexier than she had in her underwear. Legs that

went on forever held his gaze and, even though he knew whatwas under the white cotton, he wanted to rip it off and find out

all over again.

He cleared his throat. A limo will pick you up out front at

seven. Ill meet you at the event.

Alexa startled out of her trance. But where are we going? How

long will it take?

A ping announced the arrival of the elevator and Ric gesturedfor Alexa to enter. She did, then held her finger on the open button,

her eyebrow raised in question.


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He tried not to smile. Hed given her an ultimatum she couldnt

refuse, yet she wouldnt admit defeat.

Do you like surprises? he asked.

Alexa pressed her lips together as if considering his question.

Not the kind that lead to a party with the atmosphere of a wake.He chuckled again, wondering whether she had a brain-to-

mouth filter at all. Youll just have to hope its something better.

She folded her arms and pouted at him. He smiled as the doors

began to slide shut.

Dont be late, Alexa. And remember, its formal.

The clink of metal slamming together halted her not-so-inno-

cent reply.

After the lift had disappeared, Ric headed for the bathroom, intent

on taking the cold shower for as long as he could. Alexa fired his

blood like no woman had in a long time and she would no doubt

look spectacular all glammed up by his side.

But hed need to make sure he kept a stranglehold on his libido.Falling into bed with Alexaas tempting as it had been tonight

wouldnt be a smart choice. The girl was wild, unpredictable and

far too irresponsible. He knew he was walking a fine line using

her status to tempt guests to the ball, but dating her crossed it

completely. That would draw the kind of attention he didnt need.

Especially if the media dug too deep into his past


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Sinfully Summer - Aimee Duffy - Extract